Canaries' Microbiota: The Gut Bacterial Communities along One Female Reproductive Cycle.

Investigations of bacterial communities are on the rise both in human and veterinary medicine. Their role in health maintenance and pathogenic mechanisms is in the limelight of infectious, metabolic, and cancer research. Among the most considered, gut bacterial communities take the cake. Their part in animals was assessed mainly to improve animal production, public health, and pet management. In this regard, canaries deserve attention, being a popular pet and source of economic income for bird-keepers, for whom breeding represents a pivotal point. Thus, the present work aimed to follow gut bacterial communities' evolution along on whole reproductive cycle of 12 healthy female canaries. Feces were collected during parental care, molting, and resting phase, and submitted for 16S rRNA sequencing. Data were analyzed and a substantial presence of Lactobacillus aviarius along all the phases, and a relevant shift of microbiota during molting and rest due to an abrupt decrease of the Vermiphilaceae family were detected. Although the meaning of such change is not clear, future research may highlight unforeseen scenarios. Moreover, Lactobacillus aviarius may be deemed for normal bacteria flora restoration in debilitated birds, perhaps improving their health and productivity.

Reproductive disorders in domestic canaries (Serinus canarius domesticus): a retrospective study on bacterial isolates and their antimicrobial resistance in Italy from 2009 to 2012.

Reproductive disorders are responsible for significant economic losses in canary aviculture due to embryo and newborn chick mortality. Most of the time, deaths are caused by bacterial pathogens, however little published data exist about the prevalence of bacterial isolates that are identified during diagnostic protocols. This study reports on data collected from previous investigations carried out on cloacal swabs (n 456), unhatched eggs (n 52), and dead newborn chicks (n 68) collected from canary aviaries with a history of reproductive disorders. Of the examined samples, 41% were positive for the presence of pathogenic or potentially pathogenic bacteria, with particular regard to Gram negative species during bacteriological investigations. The most prevalent microorganisms were Gram-negative (55%). A predominance of Klebsiella, Escherichia, and Pantoea genera was observed. These are usually associated to pathological conditions in pet birds. Among Gram-positive bacteria, Bacillus spp. and Staphylococcus spp. were most prevalent. The antimicrobial susceptibility testing carried out on bacterial isolates showed a multiple resistance, especially against amoxycillin, erythromycin, spiramycin, tiamulin, and tylosin. This study represents a first attempt to provide an update on microbial causes of embryonic and neonatal mortality in canary aviaries in Italy; in addition, it provides further understandings about the efficacy of antimicrobial therapy.

Circadian Rhythm and Stress Response in Droppings of Serinus canaria.

Serinus canaria is a widespread domestic ornamental songbird, whose limited knowledge of biology make compelling studies aimed to monitor stress. Here, a commercial enzyme immunoassay was adopted to measure immunoreactive corticosterone (CORT) in single Serinus canaria dropping sample, to monitor the daily fecal excretion of CORT in birds bred singly or in-group and to detect the effect promoted by aviary or small transport cage restraint. A robust daily rhythm of CORT was recorded in animals held on short-day light cycle, independent of bred conditions (single or group), which persisted when space availability was modified in single bred animal (transfer in aviary and transport cages). By contrast, a significant change in CORT excretion was recorded when group bred animals are restrained in a smaller cage. The daily rhythm in CORT excretion in response to manipulation showed the greatest response at the beginning of the light period, followed by the absence of the peak usually recorded at the end of the dark phase. These data indicated that EIA could be used as a reliable noninvasive approach to monitor the stress induced by restraint conditions in Serinus canaria.

Granulomatous myocarditis caused by Candida albicans in a canary (Serinus canaria).

Candida albicans is among the major agents of mucous membrane mycosis in humans and animals, with systemic and deep infections observed in immunocompromised hosts. We describe a case of fatal granulomatous myocarditis caused by C albicans in a 20-day-old canary (Serinus canaria). The etiologic diagnosis was confirmed by identifying characteristic morphologic features of the organism, combined with histochemical staining, and followed by the use of ad hoc biomolecular analysis.

Use of a synthetic GnRH analog to induce reproductive activity in canaries (Serinus canaria).

In this study, we evaluated the effects of a transcutaneously administered gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog (lecirelin) on the reproductive activity of the canary (Serinus canaria). Two groups of 20 pairs of canaries were treated with increasing concentrations of lecirelin delivered in a cream vehicle; one group was exposed to a natural photoperiod, and the other group received additional photostimulation. Two groups of 10 pairs of canaries served as controls; one group was exposed to an artificially lengthened photoperiod, and the other group was maintained under a natural photoperiod and treated with a nonmedicated cream vehicle. In all canaries treated with lecirelin, the onset of reproductive activity occurred significantly earlier than in either control group.

Comparing therapeutic efficacy between ivermectin, selamectin, and moxidectin in canaries during natural infection with Dermanyssus gallinae.

The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of three spot-on drugs on canaries during Dermanyssus gallinae natural infections and during the breeding season. Three groups of canary couples (seven couples each) were included: group A was treated with ivermectin, B with selamectin, and C with moxidectin. All the drugs were administered topically infrascapularly. The parasitic charge was estimated before the treatment (t(0)) and after 8 (t(1)), 16 (t(2)), 24 (t(3)), and 32 (t(4)) days following the initial treatment. No significant differences were detected among the three tested drugs for the five repeats for each of the four mite stages (egg, larva, nymphs, and fed and unfed adults). With regard to the decrease in the mean numbers of red mites, ivermectin and selamectin exerted their efficacy at t(2), contrary to moxidectin at t(3).